Mammoth’s New Avy Pup Is Taking Instagram by Storm
Mammoth Mountain, California, is introducing Sancho, the latest furry addition to its ski patrol team.
Sancho, a puppy, has golden fur and a little red vest to match the gear worn by his human counterparts, Mammoth Mountain’s ski patrollers. According to the ski resort, he’s a Red Labrador Retriever.
As is often the case when mountains introduce new K-9 recruits, skiers and snowboarders welcomed Sancho with open arms. “Gonna need a stuffed sancho asap he is so cute,” read one comment below Mammoth Mountain’s post. “All the heart eyes for Sancho!” read another.
POWDER Senior Editor Matt Lorelli commented, “Well shoot. Guess this means I gotta bring some milk bones down for opening day.”
Here’s Sancho in his element.
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Sancho, of course, is far more than a cute representative of Mammoth Mountain—as the pup gets older and passes through training, he’ll become capable of assisting ski patrollers during rescue scenarios.
Avalanche dogs like him are relied upon for their keen sense of smell. Thanks to their powerful noses, they can find skiers buried in the snow after an avalanche. Sancho is a member of the Eastside K-9 unit, a non-profit entity separate from Mammoth Mountain. This allows the dogs to assist in the case of backcountry rescues.
On its website, Eastside K-9 offers a reminder that Sancho and his canine buddies should be treated with respect like their ski patrol friends. “When the dogs are at Mammoth Mountain, they are working,” the organization wrote. “Yelling the dog’s name, barking, or distracting the dog on the slopes or from a chair lift is inappropriate.”
You can, however, in the right circumstances, ask an avalanche dog’s handler if it’s okay to come and say hello. Before you do so, though, take your skis or snowboard off—the sharp edges can cut a dog and end its career.
When will you have an opportunity to spy Sancho on the slopes? Hopefully soon. Mammoth Mountain plans to open on November 14, 2025, conditions permitting.
And if you haven’t had your fill of Sancho quite yet, here’s another photo of him excelling at his part-time job—being cute.
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